FlairJet ready to take on large business jets

10 June, 2012

SOURCE: Flight International

BY: Kate Sarsfield

London

UK charter and management company and Embraer Phenom business jet operator FlairJet is planning to widen its fleet offering to include long-range and airliner business types. The strategy is an attempt by the Oxford-based company to use the skill-base of its flight crew and to remove its restrictive "Phenom guys" reputation.

"We feel a bit typecast," says David Fletcher, chief executive of the two-and-half-year-old company, which operates two entry-level Phenom 100s and a light-cabin Phenom 300.

"Our pilots have vast experience in the airline industry flying a host of aircraft such as Airbus A319s and 320s. The time is right to move into larger aircraft and show that we are not a one-trick pony," he adds.

FlairJet is preparing its worldwide aircraft operator's certificate, which will open up new markets. "We would like to set up bases globally, with the Middle East and Russia being key regions for us," Fletcher says. "There are so many aircraft types out there that would fit our company structure - Bombardier Global 6000s, the Airbus Corporate Jet family - nothing is off-limits. We are in this for the long run."